NAfter the giant leap towards a World Cup ticket, the German soccer players were in the best of spirits – and they were in the mood for a decent dinner at the end of the year. The DFB selection won their top game in Portugal with 3: 1 (3: 1). The immaculate leaders in qualifying group H increased their lead over their direct rivals to five points.
“A well-deserved victory”, was the conclusion of national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg: “Now we are looking forward with joy.” After her 75th international match, Melanie Leupolz was a bit bothered by the “disheveled” second half, “but in the end we are happy about the three points, we’ll take that with us into the new year. We’ll toast at dinner and let the year end. “
The EM year begins with a position assessment
Lea Schüller (15th), Svenja Huth (23rd) and Leupolz (28th) scored the German goals in Faro in their sixth win in their sixth game en route to the 2023 finals in Australia and New Zealand. National goalkeeper Merle Frohms, however, made an own goal after a missed penalty by Carole Costa (34th).
The coming months will be dominated by the European Championship in England (July 6th to 31st, 2022). This year the record European champions finished with nine wins, one draw (against Chile) and two defeats (in France and the Netherlands).
The European Championship year begins for the DFB team with a position assessment at a mini-tournament in England in February. In addition to the EURO hosts, Olympic champions Canada and EM group opponents Spain will take part.
Dominant appearance
Four days after the 8-0 win against Turkey, Voss-Tecklenburg had adjusted their line-up to four positions to suit their far stronger opponents. In defense, Marina Hegering and Giulia Gwinn made their starting line-up comeback after injuries, while Kathrin Hendrich moved into the back four on the right.
For their anniversary game, Leupolz was allowed to play in midfield right from the start and immediately set the tone. As so often, Bayern striker Schüller made it 1-0 with a head after a corner from Klara Bühl.
The German team now dominated in front of 500 spectators in the Estadio de Sao Luis. After Leupolz presented, Huth first increased with a 20-meter shot, then Chelsea professional Leupolz scored himself from a distance. The goal then fell out of nowhere.
Since Frohms came too late against Ana Borges and knocked the attacker off her feet in the penalty area, referee Rebecca Welch (England) consequently gave a penalty. Costa kicked it to the left post, but the ball hit the back of the Eintracht goalkeeper from the aluminum and from there into the goal.
That gave the Portuguese new courage, even after the break they increased the pressure and waited for their chance. The DFB selection seemed at times too hectic and sloppy in exploiting opportunities.
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